Should you use the ridge reamer with or without cutting oil? Seems to me it gives a rougher cut without. I'm taking the slugs out tonight so I'd just like your opinion on this.

Thanks Bill

By all means use oil. It'll give a cleaner cut, the cutter will stay sharp, and the oil will catch a large portion of the chips. If you've got some, or can get a small can of "thread cutting" oil use this. Motor or "3in1" is good as a second.

Tip.. Stuff a bunch of rags down the hole first. When you're done pull them up and out with most of the chips.

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"Atomic Batteries to Power...Turbines to Speed"

(The Minnesota John D)

'64 El Camino
383 - TH-350 - 12bolt - 4wh pwr discs
Bedded down for the Winter.

John, Thanks, Bill

Bill,
In my opinion there is only one place for a ridge reamer...the trash can !!! I have seen more blocks ruined by the use of a ridge reamer than you would want to know. The main thing you do is to remove the only unworn part of the existing bore...now making it very difficult to find a good place to center the boring machine. I also have never seen a motor that would not come apart without removing the ridge.
Just my opinion,

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

[This message has been edited by BillK (edited 11-19-2002).]

Bill,
You make an excellent point as always.
How so you get the rings past the ridge with out removing it? I don't have much of a ridge but it is enough to prevent the piston from coming out.

Thanks Bill

Bill,
The pistons will come out. Make sure to put some bolt protectors on the rod bolts, then depending on if you are trying to save the pisons or not...get a long screwdriver, or a long wooden dowel, like a cut off broom handle and just push them out from the bottom. A few light hits with a hammer and they will come out without damaging anything. If the ridge is as bad as it "sounds" you will be boring the block and replacing pistons anyway, so it wont matter if you beat them up real bad....even though it should not be needed.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BillK:
Bill,
Make sure to put some bolt protectors on the rod.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Short pieces of 3/8" rubber fuel hose works well. Slip them over the bolt threads.

Jim

Thanks,

Good advice, I already had the bolts covered, and will try the hammer aproach to getting them out. And you are right again, I will not be using these pistons as I am going .060 over TRW 2399 pistons.

I will be taking the hammer to them after supper tonight, so I will let you know how it turns out. I was already able to get one out already without the ridge cutter.

Thanks Bill


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6 year project car and still counting- it's only time and money

[This message has been edited by 66BBCONV (edited 11-20-2002).]

Its amazing how much of that ridge will disappear when you drive the rings past it.

Yes, it has a lotta carbon and other crud on it that gets scraped off by the rings!!! pdq67